U’s boss Paul Doswell paid tribute to his side after Arsenal put an end to their FA Cup run.
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The Gunners avoided being added to Sutton United’s list of giant killings after securing a 2-0 win at Gander Green Lane on Monday, February 20.
Lucas Perez gave the visitors the lead in the 26th minute before Theo Walcott doubled the score ten minutes into the second half, making his 100th goal for the Premier League giants.
Sutton pressed Arsenal throughout the game and were unlucky when Roarie Deacon’s strike hit the crossbar in the second half of the fifth-round tie.
Mr Doswell said: “I’m very proud of what our lads achieved, they were magnificent. There is a real feeling of pride to play a magnificent Arsenal team, and even though it would be brilliant if one of the goals had gone in, I can’t really take away thing away from the occasion.
“We know it will take about a week for it all to calm down, but we need to focus on the league now. We have 17 games left and we need to win five.
"The cup was a nice distraction and took us into another world, but if we end up relegated it will take away from that experience.”
Sutton club captain Jamie Collins added: “When we saw their team we knew it was going to be an uphill battle, but we’ll look back on this in a couple of days and think ‘what an achievement’ and to play against some of the players they put out is obviously fantastic for the lads.
“We were a little bit disappointed, to have given the fans a goal to cheer would have been the icing on the cake. When they made it 2-0 we knew it was going to be a struggle to get back into it. We could have scored in the first half, but it wasn’t meant to be. We just have to say good luck to Lincoln and hope they get through to the semi-final.
“After the game some of the Arsenal players came into the dressing room and said ‘well played’ and signed some shirts. Arsene Wenger came in too and told us we put up a good fight.
“It’s been a fantastic experience and I’m sure the lads will have a drink, but realistically we are in a relegation dogfight so there won’t be too much in the way of celebration, we’ve got Torquay away and that is a must win for us.”
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